by Kate Tilney
I’ll believe that when I see it. But all the same, I wouldn’t change a thing about her. Even if it means I might go completely gray before her stay is done.
Still holding her close with one arm, I’m painfully aware of her soft body pressed against mine. Soaked through, we might as well be naked, I can feel every inch of her. What I wouldn’t give to have her naked right now.
I raise a hand to push a lock of hair that’s fallen over her eyes. She leans her cheek into my palm, and my chest warms instantly even as my dick comes to life.
Her eyelids open, and those eyes are even brighter with her face so pale. Without thinking, my thumb traces her bottom lip. Her mouth parts, and she lets out a sigh—or a gasp. It’s all the invitation I need.
I slide one hand into her hair and hold her close with my other as my mouth meets hers. Her lips are soft and wet, and a low groan rumbles from my chest, mingling with one from her. I clench my eyes shut as her lips open under mine. My tongue sweeps into her mouth, meeting hers.
Everything around us—the water, the sky, the mountains that I love—disappear as my mouth possesses hers. She tastes even better than I could have imagined.
My hand glides up her hip to cup her breast, molding over every delicious curve. I move my thumb over her hard nipple, capturing another groan from her. She moans into my mouth and she arches toward me, grinding her hips against mine. My dick rubs against her, with each movement growing harder and thicker.
It would be so easy to peel her leggings down over her hips. To tug down my jeans. To pull her legs around my waist as I thrust into her. My fingers stroking her, making her as wild for me as I am for her.
I lower my hand, reaching for her leggings, ready to do just that.
“All right there?”
I jerk my head back, and glance up to find Ezra looking down at us from his boat. Jules freezes against me and buries her face in the curve of my neck.
I can’t help but grin at her embarrassment. At the same time, I wouldn’t mind kicking Ezra’s ass over Denali. I rub her back, offering her what little comfort I can while we have an audience.
“What do you want?”
“Your boat washed back to shore. Thought you two might need some help.”
It’s only then I realize just how long we must have been here in the middle of the lake. We’re lucky we managed to keep afloat.
Jaw hardening, I give a sharp nod. I move my lips to hover over Jules’s ear. “I’d like to take you somewhere tonight.”
She nods and looks up at me. “I’d like that.”
I find a grin again. Because I’m going to make damn sure she likes every second of what I have planned for her tonight.
Chapter Three
Jules
I fight butterflies fidgeting in my stomach the entire time I get ready for my date with Noah. I was a little surprised when he told me to wear something comfortable. Then again, I had to take a puddle jumper to get here. I’m guessing we can’t just pop out for a candlelit dinner at a swanky restaurant.
Besides, I don’t need candlelight or fine dining when I’m around Noah. And after the preview I got of what’s to come, every inch of my body is already tingling with anticipation.
Noah knocks on my door at exactly six. His lips curve into a slow grin.
“You look gorgeous.”
I glance down at my leggings, long-sleeved shirt, and puffed vest. It’s my nicest outerwear, but it’s hardly sexy.
But instead of arguing, I take the compliment. “You don’t look so bad yourself, Mountain Man.”
He chuckles at that. “You really are sold on the whole Mountain Man idea.”
“What can I say? I know what I’m talking about. I’m a pro at marketing and sales.”
Pulling a pack over his shoulders, he takes my hand and leads me out of the lodge and toward one of the hiking trails. I’ve already been warned off attempting any of them on my own. With the threat of bear or mountain lion attack, I’ve not pushed the point.
“You know, I used to be in marketing myself,” he says, helping me step up a rock.
I nearly stumble in surprise, but catch myself before he has to rescue me yet again.
“Really?”
“I haven’t always lived in Alaska. I actually grew up in Vancouver, Washington.”
“That’s only a few hours from me.”
He nods. “I went to school in New York. Got a marketing degree and MBA. Became the youngest senior vice president and partner at an ad agency.”
“Then what happened?”
He shrugs. “I was making more money than I knew what to do with. Not that I had much time for spending it, I was at the office so much. One day, Ezra and I decided to take a couple weeks off. We flew to the Yukon and started a road trip of sorts from Canada into Alaska. About a week in, we got here. Saw the for sale sign. And the rest is history.”
“Wow.” He must have been really good at what he did to reach that level of success. “Do you ever miss it?”
“Not for a second.” He slides an arm over my shoulders and turns me to face away from the trees. “Take a look at that. How could I ever miss eighty-hour work weeks and skyscrapers when this is my backyard.”
I follow his gaze and my breath catches. From our perch, I can see forever. Everywhere I look there are peaks and valleys. Trees and brush. The rustle of wind through it all. Birds flying and singing. I almost pinch myself to prove this is real.
“I’ve never seen anything more beautiful.”
“It is beautiful.” He tightens his grip. “There’s another path with an even better view. But it’s a little too advanced for us I think.”
I frown. “Advanced for us or me?”
He doesn’t answer but dips his head to press a gentle kiss to my lips. My eyes flutter closed and I lose track of thought for a good minute.
As far as distractions go, it’s pretty effective.
“Come on.” He pulls back. “I’m going to show you how to make a fire, and then I’m making dinner.”
I dramatically gasp, clutching my hands to my chest. “He cooks and he makes fire! Is there anything you don’t do, Mountain Man?”
He winks. “I’ll let you be the judge of that.”
Noah
Jules takes a bite of salmon and moans, her eyes closed.
“Okay, I’ve had dishes prepared by Michelin chefs. I’ve lived near water my whole life. But I’ve never had fish taste so good.”
“Secret family recipe,” I quip, taking a bite of my own.
“What’s the secret?”
“If I told you, it wouldn’t be much of a secret would it?”
She responds by sticking her tongue out at me before taking another bite. She’s a sassy little thing, and I like it.
“So, what about your job?” I ask as we finish the last bites of our dinner. “Do you like it?”
She lifts a shoulder. “I’ll admit, being in sales does feed my competitive streak pretty well. And I did earn this trip for being the best salesperson in the company four quarters in a row.”
“Impressive.” I give a low whistle. “How’d you get into athletic wear?”
“Even though we lived in the city, my family spent a lot of time outdoors. We were always hiking and fishing. But you know that already.”
I nod. “So it was an area of interest?”
“Precisely. Plus, I studied fashion design and merchandising in college.” She sets her empty plate down on the quilt we’ve spread out and takes a sip of the wine I packed along. “Really, I never expected to get in the sales side.”
“What did you want to do?”
“Design. I have about a thousand drawings of outfits I’ve dreamed up over the years.” She takes another sip before setting the glass next to the plate. “Most people who design don’t think about girls who look like me.”
I arch an eyebrow. “They aren’t designing for beautiful women?”
She rolls her eyes. “I’d tell you to stop with the fl
attery if I didn’t love it. But, that’s not what I meant. I meant women with curves. With assess and breasts. You saw firsthand how well the clothes my company designs work on a woman with these.”
She cups her breasts, pushing them together. I nearly swallow my tongue watching the way they spill over her hands. I’m thinking the dessert I brought might have to wait until later.
“Why don’t you design?” I ask, tearing my gaze from her chest.
“Because it isn’t my department.”
“Why not make it your department? Not to mansplain or anything, but I could give you tips on materials you might use that can hold up in the mountains. You could work up a few designs and pitch it to the higher ups.”
She purses her lips. “It’s an interesting idea. I may have to pick your brain about that.”
“Pick away. But first, there’s something I need to do.”
“What’s that?”
I reach for Jules and pull her toward me. She removed her vest before dinner, which gives me free access to move my hands over those breasts of hers. I slide my hand under her shirt so I can feel them as I bring her mouth to mine.
She moans as my hard thumb flicks at her nipple. It’s already hard. Pulling her into my lap, I move back just enough to pull her top over her head to toss it aside. I lower my mouth to her breast this time. Cupping it, I raise the nipple to my lips and pull it into my mouth.
Her back arches, and I feel her quiver against me. I suck harder, earning another gasp and a cry. I’m glad I brought her here. I want her loud and wild as I make her mine for the first time.
“Oh God.” She slides her fingers into my hair tugging me closer. “Don’t stop.”
I release her nipple to nibble my way up her chest and along the curve of her neck. “Baby, we’re just getting started.”
Chapter Four
Jules
Before I can brace myself, Noah has me on my back. He’s tugging my leggings and panties down over my hips with expert ease. I’m exposed and naked to him and the moon and the fire flickering beside us.
His hands and mouth move over every inch of my body. Up and down my breasts, teasing my nipples and making the hair on my arms stand straight. Then he moves lower. Tugging his flannel shirt off and over his head, he moves between my thighs.
“I can’t wait to taste you.”
Then, he slides his finger through my seam, finding my heat. He traces my already tingling clit with his rough thumb. I arch upward, sliding my fingers through his thick hair. I grip on tight as he slips a finger inside of me and moves his mouth where his finger was.
“Mmm.” He vibrates his lips against me, sending an extra jolt of electricity through me. “You taste even better than I thought you would.”
Then he slides and sucks, playing my pussy with unmatched skill. The pressure builds in my belly, growing and pulsing, until it explodes and I cry out with an orgasm. It goes on and on, and through it he never stops pushing and pulling, taking me over and over the edge again and again.
I am all pleasure, all joy. I don’t know where I stop and he begins.
Still gasping for air as the waves subside, I reach for him, pulling his mouth to mine. I can still taste my saltiness on his lips, and it fills me with a savage need to have him inside of me. To have him take me—all of me—to become his. Only his.
We fumble and tug at the zipper of his jeans, pulling them down along with his briefs. Never tearing my mouth from his, I reach between us and grab his hard length. I give it a squeeze, grinning as he groans into my mouth.
Tearing my mouth away from his, I nibble on his earlobe. “I want you inside of me.”
“Let me grab a condom.”
“I’m on the pill.” I slide my tongue down his neck, tasting his sweat, pleased to know he’s as impatient for me as I am for him. “And I’m clean.”
He nods. “I am too.”
And then, his hands lower to grip my ass, and he pulls me up as he plunges inside of me.
I shout out as he fills me with every inch of his cock. Then he pulls out and does it again. And again. He angles his hips, setting a slow, strong pace. His fingers dig into me, and he leans forward to capture one of my nipples in his mouth again.
It’s too much. A fresh pulse of desire and longing runs through me. Building and growing, pushing me toward another orgasm. This one is even stronger than before. When I’m not sure I can take this torture anymore, the pleasure bursts again, and I fall apart into rays of light and ecstasy.
With a groan of his own, he thrusts into me once more. His legs tense as he spills himself inside of me. He collapses, bracing himself on his forearms, my bare nipples tickled by the hair on his chest as we gasp for breath.
Seconds, minutes pass as our heartbeats slow. And when he slides out of me, and pulls me up against him, my heart swells with a contentment I’ve never known.
He brushes his lips over my ear. “I’ve been thinking, when we get back to the lodge, you might want to move your things to my room.”
I arch an eyebrow. “Oh really?”
“I have an even better view out my window. You might enjoy seeing it for the rest of your stay.”
If I smiled any brighter, my face might split in two.
“That’s so considerate of you. Is your bed by any chance the most comfortable in the lodge?”
“Now that you mention it, it is.”
I’m chuckling lightly as Noah pulls me even closer to him. Before long, his soft, low snores start up. Though I’m tired, and the rumble of his breath is soothing, my mind is working too fast to sleep. I have a lot to consider. When I came here, I was just taking my reward for a job well done. Now, I haven’t so much as checked my email in days, let alone thought about a sale. I hadn’t even thought about anything work-related until Noah asked about my dream job.
It’s been years since I’ve broken out my sketchpad to design an outfit. Maybe it’s time I do. Maybe it’s time I stop selling other people’s clothes and work on my own.
One thing is for sure: my life and what I want from it have changed forever because of this man. I don’t know exactly what that means just yet career-wise. But I’ll figure it out. Because now that I’ve found him and this beautiful place, I can’t walk away.
But first things first. When Noah wakes up I’m going to turn my fantasy from before—the one of me working his pole—into reality.
I suspect neither of us will be disappointed. He’s already proven to be better than any fantasy I could ever imagine.
Chapter Five
Noah
Stirring awake, I’m grinning before I open my eyes. Jules’s smooth, bare ass is pressed up against my cock. She wriggles against me, and I bite back a groan at the teasing gesture. I grab her hip to hold her steady.
I briefly contemplate waking her up by making slow, sweet love to her. But a glance at the alarm clock on my nightstand shows I’m almost late to take the fishing excursion out to its morning spot. Tempting as it is to tell them to find their own way, I can’t tank my business just because I’m a man who’s losing his heart to a woman.
My grin grows wider as I press a kiss to Jules’s shoulder and tuck the quilt around her as I slide out of bed. I’m acting like a lovesick wuss. If it was Ezra walking around with a stupid grin on his face all the time—his head in clouds thinking about a girl—I’d push his face in the dirt just to teach him a lesson.
But I’ve enjoyed the past week with Jules too much to kick my own ass over falling for her. She’s an easy woman to love. I swear the rest of the guys are halfway in love with her too.
I just wish I knew how to make her stay. It’s the one thing we haven’t talked about on our long hikes through the wilderness or while we’re tangled up together in bed. We’ve talked—and occasionally bickered—about everything else a man and his woman could. But not the one topic that matters most.
Staring down at her in my bed, I know I can’t let her go. At least not forever. It’s time I stop acting li
ke chickenshit and tell her how I feel and what I want. I’ll do just that as soon as I get back from the river.
I’m nearly to the door when a mess of papers on my desk catches my attention. Arching my neck to look, I see they’re sketches. I pick one up and see by the signature in the corner and the handwriting, they belong to Jules. They’re page after page of outdoor clothing. She’s written notes about fabric selections, and I see she’s taken my advice.
These must be the designs she plans to pitch her boss when she gets back to Seattle. My stomach clenches at the thought. As I leaf through page after page, I’m increasingly impressed by her work.
The more impressed I become, the farther my gut sinks.
I silently stew as I lead the fishing group out. My foul mood doesn’t go unnoticed. I catch Ezra’s curious look more than once. He wisely doesn’t say anything while we’re out. In truth, I don’t know what to say.
But by the time we get back to the lodge and I escape into my office, I know what has to happen. I have to keep my mouth shut. Jules is too good at what she does to give it all up for any man. How could I possibly ask her to give up her dream for me?
I’m pouting at my desk when Ezra steps in.
“What’s eating you?”
I lift a shoulder and grunt.
Rolling his eyes, he drops into the seat opposite me. “If I was a betting man, I’d say girl problems.”
My gaze flickers up to his, but I don’t expand.
“It seems I’d win that bet.” Ezra strokes his beard thoughtfully. “And since there’s only one woman in a twenty-mile radius, I’d guess you’re thinking about Jules. When is she headed back?”
“Day after tomorrow.”
“And you’re wishing that wasn’t the case.”
“It doesn’t matter what I wish.” My fist slams down on the desk, rattling the computer monitor and an empty coffee mug. “We both know this is temporary. She doesn’t belong here.”
